New Lake Planned For North Central Missouri

WINDERMERE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: A view across Lake Windermere from Low Wood Bay during The Big Chill open swimming event in Lake Windermere on February 2, 2013 in Windermere, England. The Big Chill swimmers plunged into Lake Windermere, where the water temperature was an average of four degrees celsius, for a series of events including relays, endurance and fun swims. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

MILAN, Mo. (AP) The state is making up to $2 million available to help develop a lake in north-central Missouri.

Gov. Jay Nixon traveled Friday to Milan (MEYE’-luhn) for a discussion about the East Locust Creek Water Reservoir. The proposed 2,200-acre lake in Sullivan County would supply water to a 10-county region but also could be used for recreation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing over half the funding needed for the lake. Sullivan County voters also have approved a half-cent sales tax for it. And a $10 million municipal bond is helping fund the land acquisition.

Nixon says the state will make up to $2 million available to help the North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission acquire property needed for the lake.